City University of New York sets up waiting list

NEW YORK -- The City University of New York is placing prospective freshman students on waiting lists after being inundated with applications.

Spokesman Michael Arena said CUNY needs to manage resources so that the system of colleges can continue to "provide the quality students have come to expect." Officials said the boom in applications is due to the weak economy.

Anyone who applies to any of the system's 11 senior colleges or six community colleges after Friday will be put on a waiting list. They'll receive priority January enrollment.

CUNY has received more than 69,000 freshman applications for fall admission.